Christine Schwalm Design

I snapped this picture walking down a residential street in the Federal Hill section of Baltimore.  Actually, I took the picture the second time I passed this townhouse.  My friends watched me as I took a picture of what to them was some random house in a neighborhood I don't live in.  I tend to do this. 

Something about the scene was so appealing, or maybe it was a combination of everything: the brick, the ivy, the blue trim.  I love how the little garden is thoughtfully tended with all of the elements working so nicely together.  The red flowers pick up the brick tones, the blue pots repeat the trim and door color and the additional greenery adds interesting texture.  There is no one thing that stands out.  Instead, everything works together to create a lovely front entry.

This is one of those things that are just too funny, kooky, and cool not to share.  At a store called Paradiso in Hampden, Maryland, there was not one, but two pinball coffee tables.  Be honest, every guy you know would want one of these in their house somewhere.  it's sort of like the foosball table in Joey and Chandler's apartment on Friends,but far more useful since it has a glass top.

Ever watch those design shows and see those boards with pictures of furniture and fabric samples?  Those are known as concept boards and they're supposed to be a snapshot of the finished space.  So imagine my delight as a designer when I checked into the Holiday Inn down in Baltimore to see a one for the room where I was staying.

I was intrigued by the concept board.  This did not look like the typical hotel room with 80's pastel artwork and polyester coverlets.  This looked, dare I say, chic.  Details like an upholstered headboard, chaise lounge, and Eames inspired office chair gave me hope. 

It was a little cramped, as most hotel rooms can be, like there was a bit too much furniture for the space.  And I can't say I loved the sheer/ribbon drapery treatment.  The room overall, did give the impression of new, contemporary and stylish.  I'm not sure how well some of the details will hold up in 5 years (turquoise is kind of a "now" color") but those can be easily changed out.  The furniture, headboard and background choices will transition with time.  Overall, a very welcome surprise. 

A few weeks ago I headed down to Baltimore with some friends to check out the city.  I knew there would be great baseball and tasty crab dishes (soft pretzel + crabmeat + cheese= a reason to have tastebuds), but I didn't know there was such a thriving art and design culture down there.  What a pleasant surprise to find so many interesting places to explore.  I'll share some of the fantastic shops in upcoming entries but today is all about the art museum.    It's a short cab ride from the inner harbor, but what you spend on cab fare you make up with free admission to the museum.

My favorite exhibits, by far, were the miniature rooms.  Think dollhouse furniture but on a whole other level.  The fact that most of them feature Federalist style furniture, a personal favorite, didn't hurt.  They were just so clever!   

The museum features a beautiful selection of cabinetry, silver and textiles.  It's just big enough to have a nice variety, but small enough to cover in one trip.  Plus, it's a great way to get out of that Baltimore humidity for a few hours!